Colombia, ELN rebels start peace talks, hoping to end six decades of war

CARACAS — Negotiators from the Colombian government and leftist guerrilla group the National Liberation Army (ELN) began peace talks on Monday, the first major step in President Gustavo Petro’s efforts to end nearly 60 years of war.

Petro, a former member of the M-19 insurgency who took office in August, has promised to bring “total peace” to Colombia by negotiating with rebels and crime gangs involved in drug trafficking and illegal mining.

“We cannot see each other as enemies, the labor we have is of reconciliation,” said ELN negotiator Pablo Beltran. “We hope not to fail these expectations for change.”

The talks – which began in Venezuelan capital Caracas – will rotate …

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